The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-18
TIE oaNIrAoLoeIcAL PUZZLE.
Death Of . Thousand Dollar Bfrd-Sfarf-
lfnr Conversational Powers-

Death OF . Thousand Dollar Bfrd-Starte
Hing Conversational Powers-
Jacla the nondescript, ono that has soreiy
puzzled the greatest ornithologists OF Amer
lea, and for which the sum Of 81 900 has ire
ouently been offered and refused, died on
Thursday af the residence Of its owner, Capt
Frederic Perkins, Brooklyn He was re-
markable linguist, and, although OF Oriental
nativity, spoke English with great huency
A Christian Chinaman, one OF thousands OF
people that visited the bird, said that he was
Of genus rare in the Celestial empire, but
that specimens had been infrequently seen
within about ten miles of Canton, and he at
tributed to it many of the characteristics OF
the American starting His breast and back
was of beautiful drab or dove color, the
wings and tail of rich velyety black tipped
with white, the head surrounded with TUT
Of black hair like feathers; legs and bill yell
low; long, sharp talons, like those OF hawk,
and a small, vicious gray eye OF peculiar
shape. He was the size of kinghsher. Many
fancied that he was Pagoda mynan tIe-
menuchus pagodaruml, but the best authori
ties repudiated the suggestion. Capt Perkins
received the following from Professor J. Is.
Holden, of the Central park geological coli
lection, after forwarding a minute descrip-
ton of the bird and asking foisets tribe:
DEAR SRI have looked over several works
that we have and find nothing concerning the
creature. Woods Natural History Of Birds
thought would contain the most particular &C
count, but find that it only repeats what we all
know about mynahs- 1t says that the mynah Is
thought to be equally Intelligent with the gray
parrot that is equally able TO talk with any other
bird don't know of work to recommend to
you. General works on birds are not common
/ wish that could direct you further. but doubt
any ones ability to find book with a reference
to the subject matter of your inquiry.
Cinnamon believe that because of the start
ling intelligence and apparent conversational
mot merely verbal powers of the bird ii
was possessed of evil spirits Ills knowledge
of Chinese was unbounded. Among his mi
metic powers were accurate limitations OF
coughing, sneezing. crying, laughing, sharp
ening of knife, drawing nails, grating nut
| megs, saving wood, filing saw, barking OF 9
| dog and other sounds, given with wonderful
| precision. 1t actually conversed with Capt
| Perkins, and apparently was made aware Of
| the approach of his master by instinct. Sc
soon as the captain came near his home ths
| bird would screech welcome of Hello, Cap
| dinner is all readyi' or, This way for Rock
/ away Cap,D He whistled an air like
| human being, and the house dog would re
| spond to his call. He understood everything
that was said to him. The captain, in pleas
ant weather, would take Jack into the stree
| perched upon his shoulder, but his affection
| for his master so strong and so wonder
| fully manifested that the latter had no fea
| of his elopement "Ahl" said the captain t,
| the writer, Il almost feel as if / had lost
| child. Talk about his value-no one coul,
| name his price to me,"-New York Times.